The five second rule

This could change your life. Last week Tina and I attended a seminar by Mel Robbins. Ten years ago Mel was an out-of-work alcoholic and her husbands’ restaurant business was near bankrupt.

Typically Mel would hit the snooze button when she awoke each day and often start drinking early. Then one night she happened to see a NASA space rocket lifting off on the TV news. The very next morning Mel unintentionally visualised that rocket when her alarm clock rang. Then a strange thing happened. Rather than hit that snooze button, Mel found herself counting down “Five, four, three, two, one” ……..and she got up.

Mel hadn’t been exercising but again she counted down, “Five, four, three, two, one”….and she put on her running shoes and went for a short run. Mel hadn’t had the confidence to apply for a job. But again she counted down “Five, four, three, two, one”. She called a media company and got an interview.

This startlingly simple formula transformed the lives of Mel and her husband. Mel has since become a key note speaker and media personality.

What often happens when you have day-to-day decisions or opportunities is that you over-think the situation, you procrastinate and you eventually lose that window of opportunity. Using the five second rule prevents this. Try it.